Phan″tom (?), n. [OE. fantome, fantosme, fantesme, OF. fantôme, fr. L. phantasma, Gr. �, fr. � to show. See Fancy, and cf. Phaëton, Phantasm, Phase.] That which has only an apparent existence; an apparition; a specter; a phantasm; a sprite; an airy spirit; an ideal image.
Strange phantoms rising as the mists arise. Pope.
She was a phantom of delight. Wordsworth.
Phantom ship. See Flying Dutchman, under Flying. — Phantom tumor(Med.), a swelling, especially of the abdomen, due to muscular spasm, accumulation of flatus, etc., simulating an actual tumor in appearance, but disappearing upon the administration of an anæsthetic.